Kuwait-Dubai flights from Wataniya Airways

Wataniya Airways of Kuwait to start operations by flying to Dubai on February 8, 2009

Wataniya Airways, the new luxury airline with its corporate headquarters in Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait, has announced Dubai as its first destination, starting with two flights a day from February 8, 2009.

The airline will also use as its base Kuwait International Airport’s luxurious Royal Terminal, the new $42-million private aviation facility, and not the regular commercial building, a statement from Wataniya Airways said.

It will be the first time that any commercial flight in Kuwait will be taking off from a location other than Kuwait International Airport. The announcement comes after gaining approval from the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation to use the prestigious luxury Royal Terminal as its base for operations.

The Royal Terminal offers various hospitality services to travellers from limousine pick-up from any location in Kuwait, to prompt and highly practical check-in procedures, as well as luxurious first-class lounges, the statement said.

Wataniya Airways, founded in 2005, received an Air Operators Certificate in July 2008. It plans to offer flights from Kuwait City to destinations across the Gulf and the wider Middle East. Wataniya Airways, formed as a part of the Kuwait Government’s liberalisation of aviation services in 2005, was founded by Kuwaiti corporations, including Kipco and Global Investment House.

George Cooper, chief executive of Wataniya, said in the statement: “Wataniya Airways has been assigned the designator code ‘KW’ for its services and has sealed agreements – with lessors ALAFCO, ILFC and AerCap – to acquire a fleet of 122-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. Dubai is the ideal first destination given the high volume of business and leisure travel to the city and, in the coming weeks, we shall be announcing further destinations to come on stream before the end of February 2009.”

The airline said its aircraft would feature personalised in-flight entertainment and capabilities, through mobile communications technology provider OnAir, for passengers to communicate via emails and text messages.

“Wataniya has been awarded the easily recognisable ‘KW’ flight code by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and that will be used for all its flights upon the commencement of operations – reinforcing the airline’s proud Kuwaiti heritage,” the airline said.

Abdul Salam Al Bahar, chairman and managing director of Wataniya Airways, told reporters at the announcement function: “Wataniya Airways is very proud to have reached this stage in our preparations and our team is delighted at the achievements to date and the fact that we can now announce that the countdown has officially started for providing Kuwaitis with a new travelling experience – one that will start in the superb surroundings of the Royal Terminal.”

Wataniya Airways also announced that the listing of its parent company, Kuwait National Airways, would be done on the Kuwait Stock Exchange on December 15, 2008.

The statement from Wataniya Airways added:  “The new fleet will be fitted with individually crafted German Recaro leather seating that provides the ultimate in comfort, suiting the short-haul flight business model in their First and Premium Economy classes and which are generally reserved for high-end luxury sports cars lines like Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini.”